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Labour Movement in Turkey (15 November - 15 December 2024)
Workers’ Struggle Continues and Grows Despite Pressure and Bans
20.12.2024
- Throughout November, there were strikes in the district municipalities of Istanbul and Izmir after collective bargaining failed to reach an agreement. Strikes took place after the failure to reach an agreement in the collective bargaining negotiations. In Istanbul; Bayrampaşa Municipality, where Hizmet-İş is organised, in Ataşehir, Kadıköy and Maltepe municipalities, where Genel-İş is organised, and in İzmir; Bornova, Buca and Bayraklı municipalities, where Genel-İş is organised, the strikes ended shortly after the unions and the authorities reached an agreement. The workers reacted to the signing of the agreement without their consent.
- Workers from UİD-DER paid a solidarity visit to MKB Rondo workers on the 81st day of their strike.With the participation of UMUT, that is UİD-DER Music Band and striking workers, poems and songs were performed.
- At Atakaş Çelik factory, where Birleşik Metal-İş union was organized three workers were dismissed.In response, the workers started picketing in front of the factory on 18 November. The workers demand an end to hostility towards union and the reinstatement of the dismissed workers.
- Construction workers at the worksite of PTA owned by SASA Polyester have been protesting for 2 month-unpaid wages since November 20.
- On 30 November, KESK held a rally in Tandoğan Square Ankara under the slogan “We can't make ends meet! We Unite and Fight against Poverty”.Unions affiliated to KESK and DİSK, TMMOB, labour organizations and pro-labour parties participated in the rally.
- Health workers are continuing their struggle against the Family Medicine Agreement and Payment Regulation which came into force on 1 November.On 2-5 December, health workers once again stopped work in many cities across Turkey to demand the withdrawal of the regulation.
- BTO-Sen union members from Ağaç AŞ of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality demanded the 5-day work and 2-day leave practice in the construction sites on the European side of İstanbul to be applied to the Anatolian construction sites as well.Contrary to their demands, the 2-day leave was removed at all construction sites.In response, workers began sit-in protests at many construction sites on 3 December.
- Three workers at the Yelkenci Tekstil factory faced a dismissal attack after organizing in the Öz İplik-İş union against low wages and usurpation of their rights.On 29 November, the workers started picketing infront of the factory under the leadership of their union.Workers from UİD-DER paid a solidarity visit to Yelkenci workers.
- On 5 December, TEKSİF union held a press statement in front of the Gezer Slippers factory to protest against the hostility of the employer towards unions.
- On 6 December, workers from Kiazom and KSK Group at the construction site of the Central Bank went on strike against usurpation of their wages.The workers’ action resulted in a victory.
- With the call of the Istanbul Labour, Peace and Democracy Forces, thousands of workers gathered in Kartal on 8 December to reject the cost of living, low wages, tax robbery, government’s practice of appointing trustees and pressures.Unions affiliated to KESK, labour organizations, pro-labour parties, democratic mass organizations and UİD-DER participated in the rally. Thousands of workers marched to Kartal Square chanting slogans “We Want a Decent Life, We Will Change This System!”
- At the Temel Conta factory, workers from Petrol-İş union went on strike on 10 December after the boss refused to start collective bargaining negotiations.
- The struggle of Polonez workers continues with determination. On 6 December, the workers decided to march to Ankara. However, the police blockaded the workers and prevented the march. But despite all the pressure and barriers, the workers keep fighting.
- At Tarkett Turkey factory, workers from Petrol-İş union, continue their strike. On 14 December, workers from UID-DER paid a solidarity visit to their class brothers and sisters.
- After the collective bargaining negotiations between Birleşik Metal-İş union and the metal bosses’ union MESS for GE Grid Solutions (in Kocaeli), Schneider Elektrik (in Manisa and Kocaeli), Hitachi Energy (in Istanbul and Kocaeli), Arıtaş Cryogenic (in Balıkesir) and Green Transfo (in Kocaeli) factories failed to reach an agreement, the strikes started on 4 December first in four factories of Hitachi Energy. On 13 December, workers went on strike in the factories of GE Grid Solutions and Schneider Electric. However, the strike of metal workers against the heavy working conditions and low wages imposed by MESS was once again banned by the Government.Declaring that they will continue their strike until a decent collective agreement is signed, the workers protested against bans in front of the factories. Workers from UİD-DER paid solidarity visits to their class brothers and sisters in the metal industry.